Chicago Bears 2014 Season Predictions

Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The defense will be good, but not great.

The Chicago Bears’ defense was bad. Really bad. Historically bad. They ranked 30th in total defense, and dead last in rushing defense.

General manager Phil Emery revamped the defense. He added Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, Willie Young, Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton on the defensive line, where even third string running backs were going through practically untouched.

The safety position was also a mess. Chris Conte and Major Wright were two of the worst safeties in the NFL in 2013, and they both were Bears starters (ouch!). The Bears signed Ryan Mundy and Danny McCray, and drafted Brock Vereen.

This defense will not break records this season. They will not be the second coming of the Seattle Seahawks. They will be better than last season, though (they can’t be much worse, right?). The new players on defense have experience playing other positions. Houston and Young can play inside on the line as well as play ends, for example. This adds depth to a defense that severely lacked it last season.Also, even though there are still older veterans in key positions, there shouldn’t be a debacle should one of them go down with injury.

As I said, this defense will be good, not great. There is still a question as to how Shea McClellin adjusts to his new position at linebacker. Also, how will Charles Tillman play after missing a big chunk of last season, and this probably being his final year (at least in Chicago).

This defense will not be in the 30’s as it was last year. I predict the defense will end up 10th or 11th overall. With the offense playing well, this would make the Chicago Bears a formidable team.